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San  Francisco, 
of  Coimnerce . 
Annals. 


ROBERT  ERNEST  COWAN 


■ 

4 


V  \ 


Annals 


OF 


The  Chamber  of  Commerce 
of  San  Francisco 


San  Francisco: 

Neal  PrBiJSHiNG  Company 

1909 


r 

\  oA  N  N  A  L  S 

OF 

The   Chamber   of   Commerce 
of  San    Francisco 

BY  CHESTER  W.  BURKS.  Secretary 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  San  Francisco,  the  senior 
connnercial  body  of  the  Pacific  Coast,  is  okler  than  the  State. 
It  was  born  of  necessity.     It  made  and  execnted  commercial 
rnlings  in  the  feverish  period  anterior  to  State  organization 
and   those   rnlings   decided   commercial   issnes.     At   first    it 
was  an  arbiter.     In  a  short  time  its  scope  and  field  were 
widened  and  it  dominated  the  activities  of  the  entire  Pacific 
Coast.     San  Francisco  snpplied  the  funds  for  coast  enter- 
prises and  the  Chamber  helped  safeguard  the   enterprises 
and  promote  favorable  legislation.     It  was  to  the  Chamber 
B   that   every  section  turned   for   advice   and   assistance.     It 
2  was  to  the  Chamber  that  the  Federal  Government  looked 
-T  for   guiding  facts   about   Coast  conditions.     Then,   as  now, 
«    its    views    were   properly   valued    in    Washington. 
°  As  the  years  rolled  along  and  the  commercial  commun- 

E  ities  of  the  Coast  grew  greater  and  richer  and  the  necessities 
S  of  commerce  multiplied  the  platform  of  the  Chamber  ex- 
■^  panded.  Every  live  topic  requiring  the  concerted  action  of 
the  commercial  communities  of  the  Coast,  or  the  individual 
action  of  San  Francisco,  was  ])rought  into  the  Chamber  for 
discussion  and  treatment.  Movements  started  hy  the  Cham- 
ber contributed  largely  to  the  splendid  California  today. 
In  a  sense  the  prosperity  of  the  State  rests  on  foundations 
laid  by  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  The  detailed  history  of 
the  Chamber  would  require  volumes;  imagination  can  easily 
fill  this  outline. 

When  the  Chamber  was  formed  by  the  pioneers  there 
was  not  an  American  court  in  the  city,  there  was  no  fixed 
water   front,   there   were  no   harbor   defenses,   no   steamers 


293467 


2  ANXALS  OF  THK  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE 

i-iiiiiiinn'  t(»  the  Oi'iciit  niu\  wo  i';iili'(ia<ls.  Tlic  conmiiniity 
was  a  law  unto  itself.  And  the  community  confided  its 
business  interests  to  the  Chamber.  To  the  everlasting  eredit 
of  the  Chamber  this  confidence  was  never  betrayed. 

In  the  archives  of  the  Chamber  were 

recentlv  found  a  l)undle  of  docu- 
COMMERCIAL  .      '        ,,  ,  •.,  i    .     , 

ARBITRATION.  "'^^^^^-     yellowed     With     a-e.     dated 

December.  1850,  and  which  give  the 
detail  and  claim  of  a  commercial  disagreement  between 
Bullitt  &  Patrick  and  Coghill  &  Arrington.  The  Chamber 
decision  Avas  written  by  G.  B.  Post.  John  D.  Redmond  and 
Abraham  Qureau.  ]\Ir.  Patrick  later  made  an  able  presi- 
dent of  the  Chamber. 

The    "Annals    of    San    Francisco" 

THE     SA'W 

mirror  the  earlv  citv  in  these  stir- 
FRANCISCO    OF  ,  '  ' 

rORTY-NINE  I'l"^"    ^^^or^^«  = 

AND   LATER.  "By  the  beginning  of  1849  the  popu- 

lation of  San  Francisco  had  in- 
creased to  two  thousand.  Two  months  later  it  was  prob- 
ably three  thousand,  whilst  in  July,  wiien  the  riots  and  out- 
rages of  the  'hounds'  came  to  a  height,  it  might  have  been 
nearly  five  thousand.  This  was  w^hat  might  be  called  the 
usual  and  permanent  population  of  the  time — if  anything 
could  be  supposed  to  be  permanent  in  so  frail  and  fluctuat- 
ing place.  Every  day  new  arrivals  of  immigrants  added 
temi>orarily  to  the  number  until  they  fiocked  off  to  Sac- 
ramento. Stockton  and  the  mines.  Society  was  in  a  state 
of  utter  disorganization,  wdiich  became  worse  and  more 
terrible  as  the  autumn  and  winter  months  brought  more 
thousands  to  the  place.  There  was  neither  a  proper  gov- 
ernment for  the  State,  nor  recognized  municipal  authori- 
ties who  could  have  protected  the  citizens  and  established 
order  and  made  provisions  for  the  systematic  extension 
of  the  town  and  the  reception  of  the  coming  crow'ds. 

"There  was  a  ^Military  Governor,  indeed,  and  martial 
law  could  have  been  adopted,  but  the  Governor  had  not 
sufficient  force  at  his  command  to  curb  the  wild  elements 
of  the  population.  Every  immigrant  upon  landing  in  San 
Francisco  became  a  new  man  in  his  ow^n  estimation  and 
was  prepared  to  undertake  anything  or  any  piece  of  busi- 


ANNALS  OF  THE  ("HAMBEE  OF  COMMERCE  3 

ness  whatsoever.     He  did.  but  it  was  with  a  deal  of  l)U8tle. 
noise  and  unnecessary  confusion. 

"The  great  recognized  orders  of  society  were  tumbled 
topsy-turvy.  Doctors  and  Dentists  l)ecame  draymen,  or 
barbers,  or  shoe  blacks.  Lawyers,  brokers  and  clerks  turned 
into  waiters  and  auctioneers  and.  perhaps,  butchers.  Mer- 
chants became  laborers  and  lumpers,  while  laborers  and 
lumpers  turned  to  merchants,  lawyers,  clerks  and  mechanics 
and  every  class  in  turn  kept  lodging  houses,  eating  and 
drinking  houses,  billiard  rooms  or  gambling  saloons.  The 
people  dabbled  in  beach  and  water  lots,  fifty-vara  blocks 
and  new  town  allotments  over  the  whole  country ;  speculated 
in  beef,  tlour,  pork,  and  potatoes ;  in  dry  goods  and  soft 
goods  and  wet  and  hard ;  bought  and  sold  at  wholesale  and 
were  ready  to  change  their  minds  and  embark  in  some  new 
and  nondescript  undertaking  after  two  minutes  consider- 
ation."' 

Soon    after    California    entered    the 

THE   CHAMBER  Union    and   while   the   citv   was   vet 

DEMANDS    COM-  ^,       ^„         ,        ', 

,,.„„„^,.,  verv  vounii-  the  (  ham  her  beuan  aui- 

MEECIAL  ...  .         „ 

FACILITIES  tating  for  a   light-house  service   for 

the  harl)or,  for  harbor  fortifications, 
for  steamer  connection  with  China  and  for  various  other 
improvements  bearing  on  commercial  advancement.  From 
the  first  the  Chamber  made  creative  fights.  It  reflected  the 
spirit   of   its   moml)(^rs. 


ANNALS  OF  TUK  CHAMBER  OF  ('O:\IMKR0E 


AN    ECHO    OF 
THE  CIVIL  WAR. 


In   the   archives   of  the   Chanilu'r    is 
this  speaking  announcement : 


IN    MEMORY    OF    ABRAHAM    LINCOLN 

UR  Nation  Mourns.  While  all 
the  instincts  of  humanity  recoil 
with  horror  from  the  tragedy  of 
blood,  we  are  yet  forced  to  con- 
IV  }r  ^"yV  y\  template  its  terrible  realities,  in 
^^^^J~^^^Sj  ^^^  ^^^  fullness  of  their  enormity, 
and  to  perform  with  beseeming 
dignity,  those  duties  which  we  owe  to  the  memory  of 
our  murdered  President,  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  this  Chamber  do 
participate  as  a  body  in  the  public  obsequies  of  our 
late  honorable  and  beloved  Chief  Magistrate;  and 
the  Executive  Committee  be,  and  it  hereby  is,  requested 
to  make  the  necessary  arrangements,  in  view  thereof, 
and  to  invite  the  merchants  at  large  to  join  us  in  the 
manifestations  of  respect. 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  this  Chamber  do 
wear  a  suitable  badge  of  mourning  for  the  ensuing 
thirty  days. 

Redmond  Gibbons, 
William  Alvord, 
Oliver  Eldridge, 
E.  B.  Benjamin, 
Abm.  Seligman. 

San  Francisco,  April  17,  1865. 


ANXALS  OF  THE  CIIAMBF^R  OP"  (  OMMEKCE 


RE-INCORPORATED 
IN    1868. 


In  1868  the  C*haml)er  re-ineorporated 
foi'  the  l)etter  reti'uhition  of  trade, 
the  futherance  of  commercial  in- 
terests and  the  consequent  general  advantage  to  the  citizens 
of  California.     The  members  of  the  corporation  were : 


Joseph  Aaron 
W.  J.  Adams 
L.    8.   Adams 
G.   W.   Armes 
AV.   F.   Babcock 
AY.  F.  Badger 
Frank  Baker 
C.  H.  Baldwin 
A.  R.  Baldwin 
T.  C.  Banks 
H.   Barroihlet 
G.  W.  Beaver 
James   Bell 
L.  B.  Benchley 

E.  B.  Benjamin 
John   Bensley 
Francis  Berton 
G.  C.  Bode 
Alfred    Borel 
S.  B.  Boswell 
W.  C.  Bovee 
P.  :\r.  Bowen 
T.  T.  BradshaAV 
(4eo.  F.  Brags' 
J.  G.  Bray 
Henry   Brickwell 
J.  W.'Britten 

C.  Wolcott  Brooks 
]Milton  Bulkley 
"Washington  Bartlett 
Geo.  Campbell 
J.   W.  H.   Campbell 
Henry    Carlton.   Jr. 
Geo.  R.  Carter 

F.  L.  Castle 
Thos.  N.  Cazneau 
H.   N.  Chauncey 
C.  Christiansen 


Chas.  Clayton 
James  H.  Coghill 
A.  N.  Coleman 
AVm.  T.   Coleman 
Walter  B.  Comstock 
J.  Warren  Cox 
Hiram  C.  Coye 
Henry  A.   Crane 
A.    Crawford 
Chas.  W.  Crosby 
Eugene    Crowell 
H.   K.   Cummings 
J.  M.  Curtis 
Benj.  Davidson 
AVm.  C.  Gawley 
Horace   Davis 
Jacob  Deeth 
James  de  Fremery 
C.  J.  Dempster 
Alfred  De  AA^itt 
Albert  Dibblee 
0.  Dickinson,  Jr. 
H.  L.  Dodge 
L.  C.  Dodge 
AV.  AV.  Dodge 
Joseph  A.   Donohoe 
Maurice   Dore 
L.   Dinklespiel 
J.  A.  Drinkhouse 
C.  A.  C.  Duisenberg 
Geo.  H.  Ego'ers 
K.  C.  Eldredge 
Oliver   Eldredge 
Aloses  Ellis 
John  Everding 
G.  F.  Fargo 
James  D.  Fai'well 
N.  C.  Fassett 


Wm.  Faulkner 
A.  T.  Fletcher 
Alexander  Forbes 
Andrew  B.  Forbes 
R.  B.  Fordham 
Frederick    Frank 
Isaac  Friedlander 
C.  K.  Garrison 

C.  Koopmanschap 
Edward  Kruse 
Redmond  Gibbons 
George  Gordon 
Adam  Grant 

AA^m.  M.  Greenwood 

D.  C.  M.  Goodsell 
Edw.  F.  Hall.  Ji-. 
S.  H.  Harmt)n 
David  N.  Hawley 
AValter  X.  Hawley 
Benj.  Hynes 

A.  Hayward 
H.   Heyneman 
Geo.  B.  Hitchcock 
Joseph  Ho])art 
R.  Hochkofler 
Chas  G.  Hooker 
Geo.  F.  Hooper 
C.  T.  Hopkins 
Samuel  Hort 
Charles    Hosnier 
J,.Y.  H.  Howell 
Geo.  Howes 
Henry  Huf:'hes 
J.  Arthur  Hope 
J.   G.  Jackson 

E.  H.  Jones 
^T.  P.  Jones 
G(M).  H.  Kellogof 


ANNALS  OK  Till-:  (IIAMP.KK   OF  CO-MMKHCK 


John  Kenttichl 
.1.  (".  Kinji" 
.1.  H.  Knapp 
(I.  W.  Me  Near 
1).  C.  :\IcRuer 
J.  W.  Ladcl 
AV.  Frank  Ladd 
Charles  Langley 
Nicholas  Larco 
^Milton    S.    Latham 
S.  P.  Leeds 
ir.   Levi 
James  Linforth 
IL  P.  Livermore 
S.  :\r.  Locke 
C.  Adolphe  Low 

B.  F.  Lowe 
Jnliiis  Lowenhelm 
Nicholas    Luning 
F.  E.  Lynch 

F.  W.  ]\Iacondray 
Edward  ]\IacConn 
A.    W.^IcPherson 
R.  H.  Maoill 
Charles  ]\Iain 
L.  B.  Mastick 
AYilliam  ^McCoU 
A.    B.    ]\rcCrearv 
J.  H.  McCune 
David  McKay 
John  J.  ^FcKinnon 

C.  E.  :\IcLane 
Lonis  ]\[cLane 

F.  P.  :\rc:\rahon 

Geo.  0.  :\re:\rnllen 
Ira  P.  Rankin 
I.  W.  Raymond 
Nicholas  Revnolds 
T).  W.  C.  Rice 
Philin    ^Meauher 
Charles  ^Mcincfke 


J.   C.   :\Ierrill 
William    Meyer 
Albert  Miller 
W.  J.  :\liller 
1).  O.  Mills 
W.  W.  Moiitaiine 
J.  L.  Moody 
(I.  11.  Moore 
J.   ^lora   ]\Ioss 
Charles   Newhaus 
H.  :\I.  Newhall 
Wm.  Norris 
Amos  No\"Ps 
n.  D.  Oliphant 
James  Otis 
D.  J.  Oliver 
James   C.    Patrick 
John  A.  Peck 
J.   T.   Pennell 
Nelson   Pierce 
William  Pierce 
A.  J.   Plate 
Ceo.  Piatt 
r\  B.  Polhemns 
John  F.  Pope 
Thos.  J.  Poulterer 
R.  E.  Raimond 
W.  C.  Ralston 
H.  B.  Tichenor 
W.  H.  Tilinuha.st 
Thomas  To})in 
Gustave  Tonchard 
John  N.  Risdon 
J.  B.  Roberts 
Frederick  Roedina- 
J.  IT.  Redino'ton 
L.  Sar-hs 

Geo.  H.  Sanderson 
Peter  Sather 
rharles  Schmidt 
Thos.  II.  Selbv 


A.  Seligman 
Ernest  Seyd 
Louis  Sharp 
D.  D.  Shattuck 
Wm.  Sherman 
Richard  D.  Sneath 
A.  Philip  Stanford 
D.  J.  Staples 
Seigmund    Steinhai't 
David  Stern 
Levi  Stevens 
Edward  F.  Ston*; 
J.  W.  Stow 
Robert  B.  Swain 
Geo.  H.  Tav 
J.  B.  Thomas 
L.  L.  Treadwell 
A.  L.  Tubbs 
Hiram  Tubbs 
Jacob  Underbill 
P.  Verplank 
Wm.  R.  Wads  worth 
Philip  L.  Weaver 
John  Wedderspoon 
Bela  Wellman 
Alexander  Weill 
F.  S.  Wensinyer 
John  Wisi'htman 
H.  R.  AA'illiams 
J.  C.  WilmeVdiuii- 
Casimer  Winter 
John  Winter 
P.  J.  White 
John  H.  Wise 
S.  A.  Wood 
J.  B.  Wooster 
W.  R.  Wheaton 
W.  II.  Stowell 
W.  C.  Talbot 
C.  L.  Tavlor 


ANXALS  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE 


The  first  board    of  trustees  under  the  reincorporation 
consisted  of: 


W.  F.  Babcock 
Isaac  Friedlander 
Ira  P.  Rankin 
James  de  Fremery 
James  Linforth 


F.  L.  Castle 
Henry  B.  Williams 
James  Otis 
Geo.  W.  Beaver 
L.  Sachs 


Thomas  H.  Selby 
Redmond  Gibbons 
J.  W.  H.  Camp])ell 
Robert  B.  Swain 
Oliver  Eldredge 


WHEN  COIN  WAS 
ABUNDANT  AND 
GOODS  WERE 
DEAR. 


Tnnnigration  was  active  in  1S50. 
There  was  no  lack  of  money  then. 
Coin  was  so  easy  to  get  that  thou- 
sands of  dollars  frequently  changed 
liands  on  the  throw  of  a  dice.  Eight 
dollars  a  day  was  the  usual  price  for  board.  Wheat,  tlour 
and  salt  were  sold  at  $40  a  barrel.  The  price  of  brown 
sugar  was  S1}A  cents.  People  cheerfully  paid  fifty  cents 
for  a  small  loaf  of  bread  or  a  pound  of  cheese.  The  port 
was  full  of  ships.  Sailors  deserted  as  soon  as  their  vessels 
came  to  anchor  and,  at  one  time,  between  three  and  four 
hundred  square-rigged  vessels  were  unable  to  leave  anchor- 
age because  the  sailors  had  gone  to  the  gold  mines.  Others 
were  making  money  so  fast  that  there  was  no  inducement 
for  a  man  to  work  for  sailors'  wages. 

]\Iany  ships  never  left  the  bay.  Some  rotted  and  tum- 
bled to  pieces ;  others  were  pictures(iuely  absorbed  by  the 
growing  city.  The  circulation  of  money,  which  was  in 
part  gold  dust  and  gold  nuggets,  was  very  large.  Between 
the  end  of  1849  and  the  middle  of  1850,  according  to  a  re- 
port made  by  J.  Neely  Johnson,  sixty  thousand  innnigrants 
had  started  overland  by  either  the  northern  or  southern  pass 
routes.  More  than  36,000  immigrants  arrived  in  San  Fran- 
cisco in  1850.  One-half  of  the  sea  passengers  were  for- 
eigners. At  the  end  of  1850  the  population  of  San  Fran- 
cisco was   aliout  25,000. 


8  AXXAI.s  OF  Till-:  CHAMBKR  OF  COMMP^RCE 

In  1852  leading'  merchants  askinl 
A   MERCHANDISE  ||j.,^   ^^^   ^j^^   Conunittee   on   Arbitra- 

APPRAISER  ,.  ,      ,  ,       ,,  11,, 

APPOINTED  ^"*"    '"^^^    Ai)i)eals    there    should    be 

added  a  IMerchandise  Appraiser  to 
The  Chaiaber  of  Coninieree.  I.  Friedlander,  G.  B.  Post. 
l);uiiel  (iihbs  &  Son,  Ilussey,  Bond  &  Hale,  P.  B.  Thomas 
and  W.  Meyer  &  Co.  were  among  the  movers  in  this  di- 
rection. "The  Chamber  of  Commerce,"  so  they  set  forth  in 
a  document  still  in  the  archives  of  the  Chamber,  "being  uow 
estal)lished  ou  a  solid  basis,  its  utility  is  apparent  hy  the 
daily  services  rendered  by  it  to  the  commerce  of  this  port. 
It  t)ccurs  frequently  that,  in  many  cases,  where  the  ser- 
vices of  the  Committee  on  Arbitration  and  Appeals  are  called 
for.  a  special  knowledge  of  merchandise  in  general,  as  to  its 
value,  or  partial  damage,  etc.,  is  required.  It  is  suggested 
that  a  person  having  the  necessary  qualifications,  combined 
with  a  commercial  position  and  honorable  standing  might, 
with  advantage,  be  added  to  the  committee  as  permanent 
ajipraiser. "  Emile  Grisan  had  the  honor  of  being  the  first 
ai)praiser. 

In  May,  1852  a  method  for  the  pay- 
LADING   ISSUE  meuts  of  freights  on  foreign  bills  of 

lading  became  necessary.  The  ne- 
cessitN'  was  thus  presented  in  a  Committee  report  submitted 
to  the  Chamber  in  1852: 

"The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce at  the  annual  meeting.  May  4,  1852,  to  take  into  con- 
sideration the  difficulty  existing  in  the  payment  of  freight 
on  foreign  bills  of  lading,  and  to  suggest  some  method 
whereliy  these  difticulties  may  in  the  future  be  avoided, 
resnectfully  reconnuend  the  adoption  of  the  following  reso- 
lution, viz : 

RESOLVED,    That    where    foreign    bills    of   lading    do 

not  expressly  stipulate  the  payment  of  freight  in  a  specific 

coin,  foreign  currency  shall  be  reckoned  according  to  the 

liiitcd    States   Value   thereof   and   payment   may   be   made 

in  an\-  legal  tender  of  the  United  States. 

"KESOLVI]D.  That  Avhere  foreign  bills  of  lading  ex- 
pressly stipulate  that  the  freight  shall  be  paid  in  a  special 


ANXALS  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMVAiCE  S) 

coin,  then  the  same  must  be  procured,  if  required,  or  its 
equivalent  given,  the  rate  to  be  determined  by  the  current 
value  at  the  time  in  San  Francisco." 

GEORGE  LEWIS  COOKE. 
J.   J.    CHANVITEAU. 


THE    FAMOUS 
BULKHEAD 
BILL    FIGHT. 


The  fiu'ht  of  the  Chamber  against 
the  Bulkhead  Bill  is  thus  described 
in  excerpts  from  a  report  of  Daniel 
Gibb.   President  in   1859. 


"In  my  last  report  I  had  occasion  to  allude  to  the  per- 
servering  attempts  of  scheming  individuals  to  obtain  from 
the  Legislature  of  California  the  exclusive  right  of  erecting 
a  bulkhead  on  the  water  front  of  this  city  (San  Francisco) 
upon  terms  onerous  to  commerce,  offering  no  tangible  guar- 
antee for  the  completion  of  the  M-ork,  regardless  of  the  city's 
right  to  the  franchise,  and  in  short,  upon  terms  alike  re- 
pugnant to  common  sense  and  adverse  to  public  interest. 
These  attempts  were  renewed  this  year  and  carried  on  with 
a  zeal  worthy  of  a  better  cause  and  were  so  nearly  success- 
ful as  to  create  a  little  alarm  in  your  minds. 

"Your  unanimous  action  on  this  subject  and  the  strong 
expression  of  the  views  of  the  Chamber  conveyed  to  the 
Legislature,  strengthened  by  similar  action  on  the  part  of 
other  public  bodies,  opened  the  eyes  of  many  members  from 
the  interior  to  the  demerits  of  the  bulkhead  bill,  showed 
them  the  actual  state  of  public  feeling  here  regarding  it  and, 
beyond  question,  was  the  means  of  defeating  the  obnoxious 
measure.  As  similar  attempts  will  in  all  probability  be 
resumed  next  session,  your  standing  committee  should  be 
continued,  with  instructions  to  bring  under  your  notice 
any  fresh  moves  in  the  direction  of  creating  any  such  mo- 
nopoly, whether  emenating  from  the  State  or  City  Govern- 
ment." 

The  Chamber  accepted  the  suggestion  of  President 
rjibb  and  the  fight  to  keep  open  the  port  of  San  Francisco 
under  the  control  of  and  for  the  benefit  of  all  the  public 
was  carried  to  a  successful  termination.  Perhaps  the 
Chamber  earned  the  gratitude  of  the  State  as  fully  for  its 
earnest  agency  in  this  matter  of  great  public  concern,  as  in 
any  of  its  many  early  labors  for  the  common  good.  The 
vast  importance  for  evil  of  the  bulkhead  bill  in  its  appli- 


10  AN\.\r,S  OF  THI>;  CHAMBKR  OF  COMMKRCE 

cation  to  the  future  of  San  Fi'aueisco,  fiiul  of  the  vahie  of  the 
services  of  tlie  ("hamber  in  this  connection  are  revealed, 
infei-entially.  in  terms  of  a  memorial  in  which  the  Chamber 
illuminated   the  situation   as  follows,   in   pai't: 

"The  Chand)er  of  Commerce  has,  by  the  conrtesy  of  the 
Common  Council  of  the  City  of  San  Francisco,  been  invited 
to  express  its  views  and  opinions  reoardin<i'  a  sea  wall  oi* 
bulkhead  to  be  erected  along-  a  portion  of  the  water  front 
of  San  Francisco,  and  more  especially,  regarding'  the  propo- 
sition to  that  effect  made  by  Levi  Parsons.  William  Vj. 
Dennis  and  others.  While  this  Chamber  would  regard  as 
important  and  desirable  the  erection  of  a  suitable  and  per- 
manent sea  wall,  under  proper  auspices,  after  mature  de- 
liberation and  reflection  regarding  the  necessary  ])lans. 
specifications,  etc.,  and  other  details  connected  with  a  work 
of  such  magnitude,  this  Chamber  can  not  regard  as  other- 
wise, the  contract  proposed,  than  as  alienating  in  perpetuity 
all  the  rights  and  control  of  the  city  over  its  own  water 
fronts  and  privileges  connected  therewith.  Such  virtual 
alienation  we  would  regard  as  fraught  with  the  greatest 
dangers  to  the  connuercial  interests  of  this  city  and  as  in- 
volving the  irrecovera])le  loss  of  rights  that  should  be 
guarded  with  most   jealous  care." 

A  long  and  hard  contest  took  place.  The  public,  in- 
formed l)y  the  action  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and 
by  that  of  other  public  spirited  citizens,  buried  the  scheme 
to  monopolize  the  city  water  front  of  San  Francisco. 


In    18o4  the  Chamber  asked  for  an 


SUCCESSFUL 


appropriation  from  the  National 
AGITATION    FOR  r  .       o    i  ^-  aaa    n        x, 

LIGHTHOUSE  (rovernmeiit  or  $2;), ()()()  tor  the  con- 

struction of  a  lighthouse  on  Point 
fjohos.  The  (iovernment  responded  favorably.  The  light- 
house was  erected  in  1860  after  the  Chamber  had  succeeded 
in  settling  certain  land  disputes.  A  light  house  was  also 
placed  on  INIare  Island  in  1860. 

The  interest  of  Xew  Yoi'k-  was  (Milisted  in  1860.  The 
Chamber  of  Commerce  was  notified  that  the  Xew  York 
Chamber  of  Commerce  had  endorsed  an  appeal  that  was 
made  by  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  San  Francisco  and 
the  Board  of  Fire  Underwriters,  in  the  shape  of  a  memorial 


AXXALS  OF  THP:  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  11 

to  the  United  States  Light  House  Board  for  a  complete  light- 
house service.  At  first  the  following'  sites  were  mentioned 
as  requiring  lights : 

Point    Reyes.    Point   Ano    Nuevo,    Pigeon    Point.    Point 
Arenas  and    Cape  Blanco. 


HOW  THE  LOCAL 
FORTIFICATIONS 
WERE    STARTED. 


The  Chamber  of  Commerce  initiated 
the  agitation  for  harbor  defenses. 
The  accompanying  correspondence 
partially  tells  the  story: 


"Washinaton  Citv,  Julv   19,   1854. 
Sir:— 

I  have  the  hand  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  oi  your 
favor  of  the  29th  ]\Iay.  transmitting  certain  resolutions 
of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  in  regard  to  the  necessity  of 
immediate  and  adequate  appropriations  for  the  construction 
of  public  works  of  defense  for  the  city  and  harbor  of  San 
Francisco. 

The  Chamber  has  a  right  to  my  humble  services  and 
it  will  afford  me  ^reat  pleasure  to  do  my  utmost  to  secure 
appropriations  on  the  most  liberal  scale  for  the  purposes 
contemplated.  Convinced  of  the  importance  of  the  mea- 
sure and  fully  coinciding  in  the  vicAvs  expressed  in  the  reso- 
lution. I  had  already  given  special  attention  to  the  matter 
and  hope  the  result  will  prove  a  realization  to  the  just  ex- 
pectation of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  I  may  hereafter 
claim  the  privilege  of  presenting  some'  considerations  con- 
nected with  the  subject  of  our  "Neutral  Rights"  which  are 
referred  to  in  the  resolution. 

I  have  the  honor,  sir  to  remain,  with  great  respect. 
Your  obedient  servant. 

(Signed)  W.  M.  GWIX. 
John  H.  Williams.  Esq.. 

Secretary  of  The  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
San  Francisco,   California." 

The  following  communication  had  been  received  hy  the 
Chamber  at  an  earlier  date: 

"San  Francisco.  ]\Iay  15.  1854. 
Dear  Sir: 

In  relation  to  the  matter  of  which  we  were  conversing* 
yesterday,  I  have  to  make  the  following  remarks  which  I 
put  on  paper  that  you  may.  if  you  choose,  make  use  of  them. 


12  ANXALS  OF  THK  CHAMHKK  OF  rOMMEROP] 

At  its  last  session  Congress,  impressed  with  the  im- 
portance of  defending:  the  city  and  harbor  of  San  Fran- 
cisco then  perfectly  defenseless,  made  an  appropriation. 
Avhicli  was  considered  liberal,  of  $500,000  for  the  defense  of 
San  Francisco. 

A  Board  of  Engineers  had  previously  examined  the 
coast  and  pro.iected  a  system  of  defensive  works  for  the 
harbor  and  bay  of  San  Francisco.  This  system  of  defense 
consisted  of  an  outer  line  of  two-story  works  guarding  the 
passage  of  the  Golden  Gate,  viz :  on  Fort  Point  and  the 
opposite  point  of  Lime  Rock.  Also  an  inner  line  which  con- 
sisted of  powerful  batteries  on  Alcatraz  Island  (the  island 
in  itself  being  much  defenseable)  and  minor  batteries  on  the 
two  extremities  of  Angel  Island.  Point  San  Josef  and  Rincon 
Point. 

It  will  l)e  seen  that  the  idea  is  not  only  to  defend  thi' 
entrance  of  the  bay  with  the  most  powerful  batteries,  but  to 
provide  against  the  contingency  of  this  outer  line  being 
freed  by  an  inner  line  of  batteries  which  should  command 
the  anchorage  in  front  of  the  city  and  sweep  all  its  ap- 
proaches. Of  the  works  constituting  this  system,  that  of 
Fort  Point  is  considered  the  most  important,  as  affording 
in  itself  by  its  admirable  position  and  strong  batteries  a 
cpiite  adequate  defense  of  the  Golden  Gate  channel. 

Next  to  this  in  importance  are  the  works  on  Alcatraz 
forming  the  central  point  of  the  inner  line,  whose  guns 
sweep  the  approaches  to  the  Golden  Gate  and  the  channel 
between  the  island  and  city  on  the  one  side  and  between  it 
and  Angel  Island  on  the  other,  and  besides  commanding  the 
harbor.  The  Secretary  of  War  therefore  decided  that  two- 
thirds  of  the  appropriation  sliould  be  applied  to  Fort  Point 
and  one-third  to  Alcatraz. 

Large  as  the  appropriation  appeared  to  Congressmen 
accustomed  only  to  the  eastern  value  of  money,  it  is  quite 
small  for  even  the  commencement  of  the  system  of  works 
in  California.  It  has  been  found  the  more  inadequate  owing 
to  the  immense  preparatory  labor  necessary  at  these  two 
localities  and  particularly  at  Fort  Point.  That  point  con- 
sisted of  a  promitory  of  solid  rock,  one  luindred  feet  high, 
which  had  to  l)e  (to  provide  a  suitable  location  for  the 
powerful  batteries  contemplated)  cut  down  to  near  the 
water's  edge.  Owing  to  the  shoalness  of  the  M^ater  where 
the  location  was  otherwise  favorable,  a  very  long  and  ex- 
pensive wharf  was  necessary  for  receiving  materials. 


ANNALS  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OV  COMMERCE  13 

Roads  cut  into  the  rocks  have  been  made  and  [)lanked 
leading  from  the  wharf  to  the  site  of  the  work.  Quarters 
for  three  hundred  men  with  storehouses,  smiths'  and  car- 
penters' shops  have  been  provided  and  a  sum  set  aside  for 
procuring-  materials,  so  that  all  the  preparations  are  made  for 
pushing-  the  work  as  rapidly  as  money  can  push  it  whenever 
that  money  shall  be  provided  by  Congress,  but  the  several 
preparatory  objects  enumerated  will  have  consumed  all  the 
available  means  so  that  after  the  end  of  next  month  not 
a  stroke  of  work  can  be  done  until  we  have  another  appro- 
priation which  may  not  be  until  late  in  September. 

The  same  remarks  apply  in  a  degree  to  Alcatraz  Island 
— the  officer  in  charge  of  that  work  (j\[r.  Tower)  has  'ione 
all  that  could  be  done  with  the  means  at  his  disposal  but 
like  myself  his  operations  will  stop  for  the  want  of  them. 
It  would  be  superfluous  for  me  to  dwell  on  the  immense  im- 
portance of  defending  this  harbor.  The  key  to  the  commerce 
of  the  Pacific  and  to  our  own  possessions  on  these  waters ; 
the  third  commercial  city  in  the  United  States,  at  a  moment 
too  when  a  general  war  in  Europe  seems  inevitable  which 
is  likely  to  reach  us  and  which  in  all  events  is  best  avoided 
by  being  in  the  most  perfect  state  of  preparation  to  meet 
it. 

To  allow  the  enemy  to  hold  for  a  day  even  this  city 
and  harbor  would  inflict  an  unretrievable  disgrace  on  the 
National  Arms,  yet  at  this  moment  the  first  stone  is  not 
laid  for  the  defensive  works  at  Fort  Point  and  those  at 
Alcatraz   are   scarcely   commenced. 

It  cannot  be  too  strongly  insisted  upon,  that  against 
a  concerted  and  formidal)le  attack  we  are  utterly  helpless. 

The  idea  has  been  held  up  in  Congress  that  the  large 
sums  demanded  could  not  be  advantageously  expended  in 
the  short  time  contemplated.  IMajor  Tower  and  myself  do 
not  hesitate  to  pledge  ourselves  to  apply  all  the  means  for 
which  we  have  asked,  and  in  the  most  advantageous  man- 
ner. There  is  no  country  in  the  world  where  work  of  this 
kind  can  be  better  or  more  rapidly  done. 

I  have  asked  for  Fort  Point  $750,000.  i\raj()r  Tower 
has  asked  for  $350,000,  but  will  reijiiire  to  complete  his 
work  about  $425,000  over  aiul  al)ove  the  present  available 
means. 

In  addition  to  these  sums  I  would  recommend  that 
$500,000  be  asked  for  commencing  immediately  the  work 
on  liime  Point.  I  am  very  respectfully, 

(Signed)  J.  G.  BARNARD,   United   States  Eno-ineer." 


14  AXXALS  OF  THE  CHAMBKK  OF  COMMEECE 


DESIRED  STEAM 

COMMUNICATION 
WITH    CHINA. 


The  followiiiii'  ])rief  letter  from 
United  States  Senator  ]\Iilton  S. 
Latlunii  intlieates  the  course  of  the 
Chamber  in  the  early  days  of  its 
existence  in  matters  of  large  concern: 

''Washington  Citv.  Mav  11,  1862. 
Sir: 

I  conuratnlate  your  Board  on  the  passage  through  the 
Senate  of  the  bill  for  steam  communication  to  China,  also 
the  passage  of  the  Pacific  Railroad  bill  in  the  House. 
Everything  looks  favorable  for  successful  action  b.y  Congress 
on  both  bills. 

Thus  far  I  have  been  unsuccessful  in  getting  the  Com- 
mittee on  Finance  of  the  Senate  to  act  favorably  on  your 
memorial  relating  to  the  warehouse  system,  I  still  hope  for 
success. 

With  great  respect. 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed)  MILTON  S.  LATHA:\I. 

Hon.  W.  R.  Wadsworth, 

Seeretar}^  Chamber  of  Commerce." 

]\Iany  times  in  the  early  days  of  Cali- 
WHEN  THE  CHAM-  fornia,    the    Chamber    of   Commerce 

BER  NAMED  PILOT  «.    •    ,i  •      j  i 

COMMISSIONERS,  ^^'^^   officuillv  recognizcd   as   an  ad- 

visory body  in  affairs  of  State  and 
local  and  national  concern.  The  California  Legislature  in 
1861,  for  instance,  enacted  a  law  to  establish  pilots  and  pilot 
regulations  for  the  Port  of  San  Francisco,  which  gave  the 
Chamber  the  power  to  name  the  minority  of  the  Board  of 
Pilot  Commissioners,  the  Governor  of  California  naming  the 
majority.  The  Chamber  was  entrusted  with  the  selection  of 
two  of  the  five  members  and  it  was  mandatory  tliat  its 
nomination  be  accepted. 

This  l)ill  was  introduced  in  February,  1861  by  ^Iv. 
Laspeyre,  of  the  minority  of  the  Committee  on  Commerce 
and  Navigation  as  a  substitute  for  Senate  Bill  No.  36.  It 
was  approved  May  20.  1861.  The  compliment  to  the  Cham- 
ber and  the  significance  of  this  legislative  action  are  obvious. 


ANNALS  OF  THK  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCR  1.', 

It  is  difficult  to  resist  the  tempt- 
WHEN  THE  CENTRAL  .^^j^^^  ^^  ^j^^^^,  j^^  Jp^^q  tl^p  ,,,^rk  of 
PACIFIC  AND  UNION        ,,        ^,         ,  ,•  ,, 

PACIFIC   ROADS  ^he  Chamber  in  promotino.  the  sys- 

]yjj..j.  teniatie    and    symmetrical     develop- 

ment of  the  city  and  its  commerce, 
for  auain  and  auain  in  crucial  times  the  Chamber  took 
a  bold  and  strong'  stand  that  favorably  determined  the 
fate  of  this  or  that  important  measure.  Hawaiian  reci- 
procity, the  annexation  of  Hawaii  and  many  other  Federal 
measures  Avere  actively  advocated  hy  the  Chamber  as  an 
organization  and  by  individual  members.  The  following 
telegram  from  New  York  was  received  by  the  Chamber 
the  day  the  Central  Pacific  and  Union  Pacific  roads  were 
formally  joined  in  T^tah : 

"New  York,  May  10.  1869. 

Received  at  l^an  Francisco  ^lay  11. 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New  York 
desires  to  unite  at  noon  today  Avith  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce of  San  Francisco  in  grateful  thanksgiving  to  Almighty 
Cod.  the  Supreme  Ruler  of  the  Universe,  on  the  completion 
of  the  continental  line  of  railway,  spanning  the  territory 
of  the  American  Union  and  commercially  uniting  two  great 
oceans  ef  the  globe;  and  in  solemn  recognition  of  the  mani- 
fold br'"<efits  and  blessings,  industrial  and  commercial  and 
politic^'!,  national  and  international,  of  this  great  avenue 
of  inte  communication,  prays  that  this  new  highway  thus 
opened  to  man  will  not  only  develop  the  resources,  extend 
the  commerce,  increase  the  power,  exalt  the  dignity  and  per- 
petuate the  unity  of  our  republic,  but  in  its  broader  rela- 
tions, as  a  segment  of  a  world-embracing  circle,  directly 
connecting  the  nations  of  Europe  with  those  of  Asia,  will 
materially  facilitate  the  progress  of  the  enlightened  civil- 
ization of  the  present  age.     By  order  of  the  Chamber. 

fSio-ned)     SA.AllTEL  B.  RUGLES. 

w:m.  e.  dodge, 

GEORGE    OPDYKE. 
A.  A.  LOW. 

Committes. 


16  AXXALS  OF  TIIR  CHAMBER  OF  (•0:\iMFR('E 

As  each  t'oiunu'rcial  issue  arose  the 
MEMORALIZING  .,,         ,  .,         ,    ., 

THE   FEDERAL  (  luiniber  eoiisidered  it  on  its  merits 

GOVERNMENT  ^*"*^1      J^      eireuinstances     wan-anted, 

brought  the  iiia1t(M'  to  the  attention 
of  the  National  Administration.  The  Light  House  Service, 
the  Postal  Service,  the  Revenue  Service  and  the  many  in- 
terests of  navigation  were  treated  seriously  and  intelligently 
and  proper  recommendations,  based  on  an  impartial  an- 
alyses of  conditions  were  forwarded  to  Washington.  That 
these  recommendations  were  always  received  with  respect 
and  often  adopted,  speaks  volumes  for  the  standing  of  the 
Chamber.  During  the  incumbency  of  ]Mr.  J.  A.  Donohue  as 
I'resident  of  the  Chamber  the  Government  was  induced  to 
remove  Blossom  and  Rincon  rocks. 

'J'he  initial  meeting  of  merchants  and 

WHERE   THE    SAN  business    men    in    the    interest    of    a 

JOAQUIN    VALLEY  ^.  .,  ^,  ., 

RAILWAY  STARTED.        t-<)mpeting      railway      m      the      San 

Joaquin  Valley  was  held  in  the  as- 
sembly hall  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  Subsequent 
meetings  for  the  promotion  of  the  railway  were  held  in 
the  rooms  of  the  Chamber,  and  finally  through  the  activity 
and  determination  of  the  members  of  the  Chamber  and 
other  intlueutial  citizens  the  San  Francisco  and  San  Joaquin 
Valley  Railway  enterprise  was  successfully  launched. 


ANNALS  OF  THE  CHAMBKH  OF  COMMEECK  17 

PART  TI. 

The  overland  railway  altered  business  canditions  in  Sau 
Francisco.  The  railway  competed  with  the  sea  carriers,  the 
fleet  of  sailing  vessels  shrunk,  and  instead  of  doing  the  busi- 
ness of  the  entire  Coast  the  local  merchants,  by  reason  of 
railway  facilities  enjoyed  by  interior  points,  were  forced  to 
abandon  territory  that  since  the  early  days  of  California 
had  been  tributary  to  San  Francisco.  The  city  remained  a 
distributing  point,  but  was  no  longer  the  only  distributing 
point.  In  this  as  in  subsequent  changes  the  city  maintained 
its  supremacy  as  the  financial  center  of  the  Coast.  As  the 
resources  of  the  State  and  the  near-by  States  and  Territories 
were  developed  the  city  gained  importance  and  population, 
and  with  each  passing  year  the  commercial  issues  increased 
and  the  burdens  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  grew  heavier. 
Agriculture  and  horticulture  brought  the  State  into  inter- 
national prominence  and  assisted  in  demonstrating  the  per- 
manency of  San  Francisco.  The  Chamber  disseminated 
statistical  information  about  the  trade,  the  commerce  and  the 
resources  of  the  city  and  State  correspond  with  the  lead- 
ing commercial  organizations  of  the  world,  informed  Con- 
gress and  the  Departments  on  needed  legislation  and  was 
tireless  in  its  efforts  to  push  the  city  into  more  profitable 
prominence.  What  may  be  called  the  second  period  of  San 
Francisco  lasted  until  xYpril  18th.  100(1 

In  the  latter  part  of  1898  the  business 
THE    TRANS-  -p  ^.i,      r>      •«     n        ^  •    -i  i 

SIBERIAN    MISSION.  ^^^.^^  '^^  ^^^  ^^^^^^  ^^^^^  ^^^^^^  ''''^'^^y 

disturbed     over     reports     that     the 

Trans-Siberian  Railway,  then  nearing  completion,  would  pro- 
vide cheap  transportation  for  European  merchants,  manu- 
facturers and  producers  and,  by  creating  a  new  current  of 
trade,  would  also  curtail  the  Asiatic  market  for  American 
flour  and  other  products.  Learning  that  William  jM.  Bunker, 
a  Trustee  of  the  Chamber  was  about  touring  the  world  via 
India  route,  the  Chamlier  requested  liim  to  cross  Asia  hy  way 
of  Siberia  and  stud^■  and  describe  the  resources  and  trade  of 


18  ANNALS  OF  TH  K  CHAMBER  OF  COMMKRCE 

that  region  and  report  on  the  trade  iiitiuencc  of  tlu'  Trans- 
Siberian  Railwa/.  Mr.  Bunker  consented  to  make  the  detour 
and  in  1899  he  crossed  the  Russian  Empire  from  Vladivostoek 
to  Cronstadt.  a  distance  of  over  6,000  miles,  and  officially  re- 
I)orted  on  the  Trans-Siberian  Railway  and  the  trade  and  re- 
sources of  estern  Siberia.  The  unbuilt  spaces  in  the  railway 
line  were  covered  by  1.600  miles  of  river  travel  and  over  1.000 
miles  of  post  road  ridin"'.  jNIr.  Hunker  gave  the  Chamber  a 
detailed  re|)ort  of  the  activities  of  eastern  Siberia  and  showed 
the  Trans-Siberian  Railway  could  not  curtail  the  Asiatic 
market  for  American  products  and  that  the  wheat  of  east- 
ern Siberia,  about  which  so  many  favorable  reports  had  been 
<^iven,  was  an  inferior  article,  the  climatic  conditions  in  east- 
ern Siberia  preventing  the  growth  of  even  a  fair  wheat,  and 
the  general  conditions  necessarily  limiting  the  crop.  ^Ir. 
Bunker  traveled  at  his  own  expense  and  in  Asia  and  Europe 
his  work  for  the  Chamber  was  wholly  complimentary.  While 
in  London  ]\Ir.  Bunker,  as  the  representative  of  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce  of  San  Francisco,  accepted  an  invitation  to  ad- 
dress the  London  Chamber  of  Commerce  on  the  resources  of 
eastern  Siberia.  lie  was  in  Europe  two  years  and  during 
that  time  studied  the  leading  ports  with  respect  to  their 
trade  relations  with  San  Francisco. 

In  December,  1901,  at  the  suygestion 
THE    WASHINGTON  i      .    n  \      xi       in      ^v 

BUREAU  *      President    Geo.    A.    NeAvhall.   the 

Chamber  appointed  Mr.  Bunker  its 

representative  in  Washington,  D.  C.     In  the  succeeding  five 

years  he  promoted   the   Chamber   policies   at   Congressional 

hearings  and  in  the  departments,  advocating  such  measures 

as  were  specially  approved  by  the  Chamber  and  oi)posing 

those  that  conflicted  with  the  commercial  interests  of  the  city 

and   State.     The  Chamber  was  conspicuously  active   in  the 

great  light  for  a  national  irrigation  law,  in  the  agitation  for 

an    Isthmian    Canal    and    initiated    the    inquiry    into    Army 

affairs  that  led  to  tlu^  legislation  for  a  military  depot  and 

transport  docks  an  Black  Point.     While  the  California  Con- 


ANNALS  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  19 

gressional  delegation  invariably  respected  the  retiuests  of 
the  Chamber  and  usually  advocated  its  approved  measures 
it  is  none  the  less  a  fact  that  the  organization  was  peculiarly 
fortunate  in  the  Hon.  George  C.  Perkins,  the  senior  Senator 
from  California,  having  been  President  of  the  Chamber,  was 
in  a  position  to  appreciate  the  needs  of  the  Pacific  Coast  and 
properly  impress  his  colleagues. 

In  1885  the  Chamber  favored  the 
MISCELLANEOUS  ^-n      ^-  ^        .         ,  -.v     x-- 

«-„T,-„  » m-r^-KTc.  ratiucation  of  a  treatv  with  Aicara- 

OPERATIONS. 

gua  and  the  construction  of  a  canal 
across  Nicaragua  and  insisted  that  a  ship  canal  to  connect 
the  great  oceans  of  the  globe  Avas  a  commercial  and  naval 
necessity.  That  year  was  marked  by  the  entrance  into  San 
Francisco  of  the  first  competing  overland  railway,  the 
Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  Railroad.  In  the  same  year 
Henry  L.  Dodge,  then  President  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, showed  the  care  the  Chamber  had  always  maintained 
for  the  public  advancement.  An  extract  from  his  annual 
report  follows : 

"By  the  construction  of  the  sea  wall  around  the  city 
front  a  large  number  of  gores  have  been  formed,  which 
amount  in  the  aggregate  to  about  ninety  50-vara  lots.  This 
property,  which  belongs  to  the  State,  and  is  under  the  con- 
trol of  the  State  Harbor  Commissioners,  should  be  utilized 
for  various  public  purposes,  such  as  union  depots  and  pul)lic 
nuu'kets  and  should  not  be  sold  or  otherwise  alienated  for 
private  or  speculative  purposes." 

The  wisdom  of  this  advice  has  been  shown  in  the  ex- 
istence of  the  present  Ferry  Building  at  the  foot  of  ]Market 
Street. 

In  1885  the  Chamber  followed  up  the  idea  of  having  the 
harbor  property  fortified  and  adopted  the  following  res(<- 
lution  : 

RESOLVED.  That  our  Senators  and  Representatives 
be  respectfully  requested  to  use  their  influence  in  securing 
Government  appropriations  for  the  defense  of  San  Francisco 
on  plans  in  accordance  with  modern  requirements  and  on  a 
scale  commensurate  with  the  important  interests  involved." 


20  ANNALS  OF  TH  H  (HAMBKR  OF  COMMERCE 

So.  in  the  next  year,  the  annual  report  of  the  President 
of  the  Chamber  preserved  the  record  of  the  beginning  of  iron 
ship-building  on  a  large  scale  at  San  Francisco,  in  the  fol- 
lowing words : 

"I  refer  with  ])ride  and  pleasure  to  the  establishment 
in  this  city  by  the  Tnion  Iron  Works  of  a  plant  capable  of 
constructing  iron  ships  of  the  largest  capacity;  and  I  am 
pleased  to  know  that  they  have  recently  secured  a  contract 
from  the  United  States  Government  for  the  construction  of 
an  iron  Avar-vessel  of  the  largest  class." 

At  various  times  the  Chamber  in- 
THE  CHAMBER  IN-  terested  itself  especiallv  in  the  bet- 
VITES  THE   CO-OPERA-     ^  4^        *     t>       .e        /^  '      i.     •    i. 

vixi^o  Axixi  v.vv/xxixvr».     |,,,.jjj(.,^|^    ()f    Pacmc    Coast    niterests 

TION    OF    COAST  .  ^         r-    ^,   , .  p 

COMMERCIAL  outside  ot  California,     it  memorial- 

ORGANIZATIONS.  ized   Congress   for   improvements   at 

the   mouth    of  the   Colum1)ia    River; 

and.  in  recognition  of  the  common  interests  of  the  Coast. 

adopted   the   following   as   its   avowed   policy    (in   1889)    to 

wliich  it  has  always  steadfastly  adhered: 

"RESOLVED.  That  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  San 
Francisco,  recognizing  the  mutual  interests  of  the  compara- 
tively few  first-class  seaports  on  the  Pacific  Coast  of  the 
I'liited  States,  invites  friendly  co-operation  of  commercial 
organizations  thereof  in  securing  the  necessary  expenditure 
liy  the  Federal  Government,  to  facilitate  the  maritime  com- 
merce Avhich  Avill  in  so  great  a  degree  contribute  to  their 
yirosperity." 

Tlie  improvement  of  the  Sacramento 
SAFEGUARDING  River,    the    survev    of    the    coast    of 

TRADE  AND  COM-  ,,      ,  ,,        t      '  •      •       .•  •      ^ 

MERCE  INTERESTS.          ■^'•'"^^''^-     *^^^  discrimination     against 

San  Francisco  in  the  matter  of  tea 
freights,  sulisidics  to  American  ships,  the  establishment  of  a 
National  Bureau  of  Navigation,  the  "urgent  necessit.v  for 
cable  communication  between  the  Pacific  Coast  and  the 
United  States,  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  the  islands  of  the  Pacific, 
the  Australian  Colonies.  Xew^  Zealand  and  the  Orient."  the 
improvement  of  the  form  of  government  in  Alaska,  the  foster- 
ing of  the  beet  sugar  industry  of  the  United  States  by  appro- 


ANNALS  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  21 

priate  measures,  the  extension  of  the  San  Francisco  sea  wall, 
the  construction  of  a  cable  connecting  Tatoosh  Island  and 
Cape  Flattery,  commercial  reciprocity,  the  establishment  of 
a  naval  training  service  in  the  Bay  of  San  Francisco — these 
were  a  few  of  the  characteristic  topics  and  enterprises  with 
which  the  Chamber  was  identified. 

When  the  Traffic  Association  of  California  was  organized 
in  San  Francisco,  in  the  early  nineties,  for  the  purpose  of 
united  action  on  the  part  of  the  commercial  community  to 
secure  better  transportation  conditions,  the  Chamber  for- 
mally endorsed  the  movement  in  the  following  preamble  and 
resolution : 

"WHEREAS.  The  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  San  Fran- 
cisco recognizes  the  necessity  of  some  organization  of  our 
merchants,  manufacturers  and  producers  to  unite  for  the 
general  purpose  of  doing  all  in  their  power  to  build  up  the 
commercial  prosperity  of  San  Francisco  and  the  State  of 
California,  by  encouraging  the  building  of  canals,  competi- 
tive systems  of  railroads  and  steamships,  and  for  such  other 
purposes  as  may  tend  to  develop  the  interests  and  trade  of 
our  State ;  therefore  be  it 

"RESOLVED.  That  this  Chamber  of  Commerce  hereby 
endorses  the  Traffic  Association  of  California,  just  formed 
with  the  aforesaid  objects  in  view;  and  that  an  organization 
of  the  mercantile  element,  united  in  this  great  and  momen- 
tous question  will  prove  of  vast  and  lasting  benefit  to  our 
industries,  interests  and  trade." 

The  Chamber  ardently  advocated  the  annexation  of  the 
Hawaiian  Islands  to  the  United  States.  This  resolution  was 
adopted  in  1893: 

"RESOLVED.  That  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  San 
Francisco  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  speedy  annexation  of  the 
Hawaiian  Islands  to  the  Lmited  States  is  of  vital  importance 
to  the  general  interests  of  the  Pacific  Coast,  and  will  be  to 
the  political  and  commercial  advantage  of  this  Avhole  coun- 
try, citizens  of  which,  or  their  descendants  in  Hawaii,  own 
or  control  the  great  bulk  of  its  property  and  commerce; 
that  this  Association,  believing  that  it  speaks  the  opinion 
of  the  majority  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Coast,  hereby 
expresses  its  convictions  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  LTnited 


22  ANNALS  OF  THE  CIIAMBKK  OF  COMMKHCK 

States  to  lieed.  without  fnrtlier  delay,  the  ai)peal  of  the 
Hawaiian  Islands  for  annexation,  and  to  extend  to  our  colony 
the  enlij^htened  protection  of  the  (tovernnient  and  institu- 
tions of  this  country  by  incorporating  Hawaii  as  an  integral 
part  of  the  United  States." 

'J'he    vear    l!)()i    was    very   busy,    so 
A  BUSY  YEAR.  ,•        ,,     ,         .         .      .      '  *  . 

much  so  tliat  extracts  rrom  report  or 

the  President.  George  A.  Newhall.  are  of  special  interest : 

"Your  Chamber."  so  reported  Pi'esident  Newhall,  "took 
an  active  interest  in  the  merchant  marine  conunission  and. 
on  January  12th.  jiassed  resolutions  in  favor  of  having  Con- 
gress create  a  commission  to  investigate  American  shipping. 
We  are  pleased  to  say  that  our  action  in  behalf  of  the  ship- 
ping eommissiiHi  Avas  successful  as  Congress  subse(|uently 
appointed  the  iMerchaut  Marine  Conmiission. 

"Early  in  January  your  Board  took  action  in  favor  of 
having  the  harbor  at  Honolulu  improved  so  that  deep-water 
vessels  could  enter  readily ;  also  action  in  the  same  line  at 
Hilo.  Congress  has  measures  before  it  looking  to  these  im- 
provements. The  matter  is  now  before  a  S])ecial  C^onnnittee 
of  your  Board  Avho  are  giving  it  attention.  A  bill  has  been 
introduced  in  Congress  providing  for  the  removal  of  dere- 
licts. Action  has  been  taken  in  this  matter  as  your  Trustees 
consider  derelicts  a  great  menace  to  navigation. 

"Late  in  January,  upon  the  recommendation  of  oui"  In- 
ternal Trade  and  Improvement  Committee,  action  was  taken 
in  favor  of  introducing  the  postal  tube  system  in  San  Fran- 
cisco for  the  purpose  of  transporting  mail  rapidly  through- 
ont  the  city.  This  movement  is  still  having  our  attention. 
Together  with  the  various  commercial  organizations  of  your 
city  your  Boai'd  took  action  in  favor  of  a  World's  Fair  to 
take  place  in  San  Francisco  in  1918.  or  at  the  comj)letion  of 
the  Panama  Canal. 

"Your  Chamber  took  active  interest  in  the  San  Fran- 
cisco sea  wall  act  and  appointed  a  .joint  connnittee  on  Harbor 
and  Ship])ing.  with  the  other  organizations,  to  impress  noon 
the  voters  of  this  State  the  necessity  of  a  favorable  action 
at  the  election  in  November.  1904.  We  are  pleased  to  state 
that  at  that  election  the  Sea  AVall  Act  was  carried  bv  a  very 
large  vote.  It  provides  for  the  issuance  of  State  bonds  for 
$2,000,000  for  the  improvement  of  the  water  front. 

"Your  connnittee  on  Internal  Trade  and  Improvements 
took  UD  the  matter  of  tlie  Indian  Warehouse  and  so  vigor- 
ously did  tliey  work,  that  Congress  lias  ^irovideil  for  a  ware- 


ANNALS  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OP  COMMERCE  -J;? 

house  in  San  Francisco  for  Indian  supplies.  This  l)usiness 
had  been  lost  to  San  Francisco  bnt  is  now  restored.  San 
Francisco  being  a  cosmopolitan  city,  we  deemed  it  advisable 
to  provide  for  an  Immijiration  Bureau  in  this  city.  This 
matter  is  now  having  our  attention,  and  is  being  laid  before 
the  present  Congress.  We  have  petitioned  Congress  in  favor 
of  having  a  .station  on  the  coast  of  California  for  investigat- 
ing marine  fisheries. 

"Action  has  been  taken  in  favor  of  having  Congress 
provide  a  depot  for  Quartermaster's  subsistence  and  Medical 
Stores  in  San  Francisco.  This  is  quite  important  as  it  largely 
effects  our  island  possessions.  A  resolution  has  been  adopted 
by  your  Board,  and  action  taken,  looking  to  the  National 
Government  taking  proper  action  to  set  apart  what  are 
known  as  'Vancouver  Pinnacles,'  San  Benito  County,  as  a 
National  Park. 

"Many  other  matters  have  interested  the  Chamber  and 
action  has  been  taken  in  favor  of  various  harbor  improve- 
ments, such  as  lighthouse  and  fog  signal  on  Red  Rock,  a 
lighted  bony  off  Point  Pinole:  a  light  fog  signal  at  Army 
Point;  the  dredging  of  San  Rafael  and  Petaluma  C-reeks ; 
removing  rocks  in  the  North  Channel  and  near  Pacific  Mail 
dock;  removing  Mission  Bay  Rock,  removing  Packard  Rock 
and  various  improvements  to  Oakland  harbor." 

Each  year  between  1870  and  April  18.  11)06  was  similarly 
filled  with  w^ork  on  the  part  of  the  Chamber. 

The  Chamber  corresponds  with 
HOW  THE  CHAMBER  ('hanibers  of  Commerce  of  nearlv 
REACHES    THE    COM-  „   ^,  ^   .  ^  ^,  i  i       m, ' 

■n^Tn-oz-iT A X    TT7«-DTT>  ' '  1 1  thc  countTies  ot  the  world,     the 

MERCIAL    WORLD. 

list  shows  how  far  reaching  are 
Chamber  of  Commerce  communications: 

EUROPEAN    COUNTRIES 

American  Chamber  of  Commerce.  Paris. 
Chamber  of  Commerce,   Calais.   France. 
Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Havre,  France. 
Camera  de  Comercio,  Oporto. 
Chamber  of  Commerce.  London. 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  Liverpool. 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  Glasgow. 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  Bristol,  England. 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  Southampton,  England. 
Chamber  of  (yommerce,  Genoa,  Italy. 


24  AXXALS  OF  THE  ClIAMBKH  OF  (X).M.\[KRCE 

('liainbin*  of  Commerce.  Hamburg'.  Germany. 
Bi'itish  Chamber  of  Commere<'.  Paris. 
Cliaml)er  of  Commerce,  Amsterdam.  Holland. 
Clunnber  of  Commerce,  Edinburgh.   Scotland. 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  Bremen. 
Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Factory.  Ghent. 
American  Chamber  of  Commerce  in  Berlin. 
Deutsches  Export  Information  Bnreaii,  Coloofne. 
Chamber  of  Commerce.  Bordeaux.  France. 

CORRESPONDENTS  IN  OTHER  FOREIGN  LANDS 

Chaml)er  of  Commerce,  Sydney,    New    South    Wales. 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  I\Ielbourne,  Australia. 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  Geeloug,  Australia. 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  Auckland,   New   Zealand. 
Hon£>koug  Chamber  of  Commerce. 
Yokohama  Foreign  Chamber  of  Commerce. 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  Adelaide,  South  Australia. 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  Canterbury,  New  Zealand. 
Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Bengal.  Calcutta. 
Vancouver  Board  of  Trade. 

British  Columbia  Board  of  Trade.  Victoria.  B.  C. 
Chamber  of  Commerce,     NcAvcastle,  Australia. 
Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Bulawayo,  ]Matal>e- 

land.  South  Africa. 
Nagasaki  Chamber  of  Commerce.  Nagasalsi.  Japan. 
Imperial  University,  Kyoto,  Japan. 
American  Chamber  of  Commerce.  ^lanila. 
Yokohama  Japanese  Chamber  of  Commerce. 
Chamber  of  Commerce.  Kobe.  Japan. 
AVellington  Harbor  Board.  AVellington.  N.  Z. 
^Manila  Chand)er  of  Commerce,  ^Manila,  P.  I. 
Perth  Chamber  of  Commerce.  West  Australia. 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  Johannesberg.  Africa. 
T'nited    States,    outside   of   California;    and   the   Pacific 
Coast : 

Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

New  York  City. 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  Boston. 

Board  of  Trade  and  Transportation.  New  York  City. 
Philadelphia  ^Maritime  Exchange.  Philadelphia. 
Baltimore  Board  of  Trade. 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  New  Orleans. 


AXNALS  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCF 

Chamber  of  Commerce,  Cincinnati. 

NeAv  York  Produce  Exchange. 

Chamber  of  Commerce,  Savannah,  Ga. 

Chamber  of  Commerce,  Galveston,  Texas. 

Chicago  Board  of  Trade. 

Peoria  Board  of  Trade,  Peoria,  111. 

Pittsburg  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

Chicago  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

Bath  Board  of  Trade,  Bath,  Me. 

Chamber  of  Commerce,  Sault  Ste  iMarie,  ]Mieh. 

^Merchants  Exchange,  St.  Louis. 

Omaha  Board  of  Trade. 

Board  of  Trade,  Newark,  N.  J. 

Chamber  of  Commerce,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Philadelphia  Board  of  Trade. 

Chamber  of  Commerce.  Richmond.  Va. 

^Milwaukee  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

^Merchants  Exchange,  ]Memphis,  Tenn. 

New  York  State  Library,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Chamber  of  Commerce,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

Commercial  and  Industrial  Association,  ]\Iont- 
gomery,  Ala. 

Interstate  Commerce  Commission,  AVashington.  D.  C. 

^Merchants'  &  ]\Ianufacturers'  Association.  Balti- 
more, INId. 

Board  of  Trade.   Springfield,  ]\Iass. 

Staten  Island  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Staten 
Island,  N.  Y. 

State  Historical  Society  of  Wisconsin,  Aladison,  Wis. 

Business  Men's  Association,  Pueblo,  Colo. 

Philadelphia  Commercial  INIuseum. 

Vniversity  of  Pennsylvania,  Philadelphia. 

Commercial  Club  of  St.  Paul,  i\linn. 

Commercial  Club,  Cedar  Rapids,  la. 

National  Board  of  Trade,  Philadelphia. 

Boston  ^Merchants'  Association. 

Chamber  of  Commerce.  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Netherland  Chamber  of  Commerce  in  America, 
New  York  City. 

Commercial  Club  of  Fargo,  North  Dakota. 


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ANNALS  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  37 

PART   III. 

The  third  period  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  history 
dates  from  the  fire  of  April,  1906.  That  fire  practically 
swept  away  the  business  district  of  the  city.  The  Chamber 
of  Commerce  then,  as  now,  a  tenant  of  the  Merchants  Ex- 
change Building,  lost  its  furniture,  its  official  books  its 
pictures,  its  portraits  and  its  library.  The  salvage  was  rep- 
resented by  a  list  of  the  members  and  a  box  of  old  records. 
The  administration  was  neither  discouraged  nor  disheart- 
ened :  a  few  days  after  the  fire  began,  namely  April  27th.  the 
Chamber  was  doing  business,  not  at  the  old  stand,  but  in 
the  Ferry  Building  at  the  foot  of  ^larket  Street,  accommo- 
dations acquired  through  the  courtesy  of  the  Board  of 
Harbor  Commissioners.  For  several  weeks  the  Chamber 
had  a  desk  in  the  office  of  the  Harbor  Board.  In  less  than 
tAvo  Aveeks  after  the  damaging  disaster  President  W.  H. 
INIarston  was  in  daily  consultation  with  members  of  the 
Chamber,  and  the  routine  business  of  the  institution  was 
runninir  along  at  the  usual  gait. 

The  Aju-il  disaster  was  verv  natur- 
THE    ROOTS    OF  ii  -^     i     •       +i 

THE    CITY   INTACT.  •'    "^^^^''"ned    in    the    reports    sent 

from  this  city  to  the  outer  world. 
One  report  had  the  wharves  and  docks  of  the  port  destroyed. 
and  denied  the  existence  of  facilities  for  loading  and  unload- 
ing ships.  As  this  baseless  report  was  of  serious  consequence 
and  threatened  a  shortage  of  the  sacks  needed  for  the  grow- 
ing grain,  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  hurriedly  issued  a  true 
statement  of  the  situation.  The  world  was  informed  that 
fire  had  destroyed  a  large  portion  of  the  business  section  of 
the  city,  bat  had  not  injured  the  water-front  to  any 
appreeifil)le  extent,  and  vessels  were  loading  and  unloading 
as  usual.  Through  the  co-operation  of  the  Pacific  ^Nlail 
Steamship  Company  the  shipping  interests  in  Australia  and 
the  Orient  were  notified  that  the  San  Francisco  wharves 
were  all  available.  After  weeks  of  active  endeavor  the 
Chamber  succeeded  in  promoting  a  movement  of  sacks  to 


^93467 


38  ANNALS  OK  THK  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE 

tills   port    rind    the    Ihi'catened   loss   of   the   grain   crop    was 
averted. 

Perhaps  the  most  important  work  of  the  Chamber  for 
the  several  months  succeeding  the  fire  was  the  dissemination 
thronghout  the  world  of  the  real  facts  about  San  Francisco 
conditions,  facts  upon  which  the  banks  and  business  men 
of  Europe  and  the  East  could  absolutely  rely,  for  in  the  face 
of  facts  to  the  contrary,  damaging  reports  and  rumors  con- 
tinued to  circulate  in  the  East  and  abroad.  It  remained  for 
the  Chamber  to  convince  outsiders  that  the  roots  of  the  city 
were  vigorously  flourishing  and  the  work  of  rebuilding  the 
burned  section  was  rapidly  progressing. 


The.  animal  report  of  President  Mars- 
/lARSTON 
A  RELIABLE 


PRESIDENT  MARSTON     ^^^^^  f,,^.  ^,^^  ^,^,^^^  ^gQg  -^  ^^  interesting 


PROPHET  ^^*^  inspiring  message.     This  report 

deals  in  detail  with  the  exciting- 
events  of  the  year  and  refers  specifically  to  the  important 
duties  of  1906.  The  work  of  the  Chamber  in  the  months 
immediately  following  the  disaster  was  temperately  de- 
scribed, and  again  it  was  shoAvn  that  the  fire  loss  of  $800,- 
000,000  was  by  no  means  irreparable.  To  (juote  from  Mr. 
Marston  's  report : 

"Deprived  suddenly  of  much  that  seemed  indispensable 
to  the  progress  of  the  community,  we  still  retained  the 
facilities  by  which  foreign  and  inter-state  commerce  moved. 
The  water-front  was  open  for  our  use ;  the  transcontinental 
railways  and  the  ocean,  with  its  commercial  fleets,  were 
agencies  by  which  the  community  was  keeping  commerce  in 
motion. 

Our  people  gave  proof  of  our  staying  (lualities.  As  soon 
as  possible  they  resolutely  began  removing  the  debris  and 
rebuilding.  We  shall  rebuild  this  city  and  increase  our  com- 
merce.   And  this  Cham1)er  will  promote  the  w^ork." 

Curiosity    may    impel    some    to    ask 

A  LUMINOUS  RE-  ^^.j^.,^    ^j^^    conditions    were    a    vear 

VIEW  BY  PRESIDENT       ,    ^  ^x     2.     ^  ^-u     r.       ■       ■   '        i? 

H   BENTLEY  later,  seeing  that  at  the  beginning  01 

1907  the  situation  was  met  in  such  a 
brave  spirit.     The  answer  is  taken  from  the  annual  report  of 


ANNALS  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  39 

President   Charles  II.  Bentley,  made  earl\-  in  VMS  for  the 
year  1907 : 

"Our  pessimists  were  in  full  flight  during  January  of 
1907.  Some  had  said  that  it  would  take  six  months  to  clear 
the  deliris  from  the  streets  before  any  building  of  importance 
could  be  done.  They  had  also  said  that  the  large  bank  clear- 
ings of  the  summerand  fall  months  of  1906  were  caused  by 
the  heavy  insurance  payments  and  that  they  would  surely 
decrease.  They  were  amazed  at  the  fact  that  the  streets. 
Avhile  sadly  wrecked  with  the  heavy  teaming,  were,  in  fact, 
cleared  of  debris  before  the  end  of  the  year;  and  were 
astonished  that  the  bank  clearings  for  1906  were  larger  than 
any  in  our  history. 

The  situation  today  is  eciually  astonishing.  Building  has 
progressed  to  an  incredible  extent,  approximately  ninety 
millions  of  dollars  having  been  expended  since  the  fire.  The 
bank  clearings  are  the  largest  in  the  history  of  our  city  for 
the  vear  1907,  .$2,133,883,688.80,  exceeding  the  record  figures 
of  1906  by  over  $133.000,000— this  in  spite  of  the  financial 
stringency  and  the  heavy  falling  of¥  in  the  clearings  of 
November  and  December.  The  banking  institutions  of  San 
Francisco,  Avith  one  exception,  have  weathered  a  most  trying 
financial  storm  which  has  prevailed  throughout  the  country. 
The  great  wealth  and  prosperity  of  the  territory  tributary 
to  San  Francisco  make  it  the  metropolis  of  the  Pacific  Coast, 
despite  all  adverse  conditions." 

In   discussinu'  the  products  of  Cali- 

SOME   PRODUCTS  ^^^^.^^-.^    -^^    ^^07.    President    Bentlev 

OF    CALIFORNIA.  ..     wi  •....•..•      i     i, 

jn-esented  tins  statistical  showing: 

Gold     $17,360.00 

Silver  975,000 

Oranges   24,300  carloads 

Lemons    4,200 

Beet   Snuar  163,800,000  pounds 

Wheat    6,500.000  centals 

Barlev      9,500,000       ' ' 

Corn"  1,000.000 

Oats    4,200,000       " 

Honev  6,500,000  pounds 

Eaisins  140,000.000       " 

Almonds    1 ,800.000       ' ' 

Walnuts  1 4.000.000       ' ' 

Prunes      72.000.000       ' ' 


40  ANX.\LS  OK  TH  K  ('HA:\ir^ER  OF  COMMERCE 

Deciduous  Fruits  (shipped  fresh; 7.0-t8  carloads 

Canned  Fruits  5.560,000  cases 

Dried  Fruits  254,375,000  pounds 

Peaches    24.000,000 

Apricots 3.000.000 

Apples    •...     3.()00,0()(» 

Pears    1.000.000 

Plums  1.500,001 1 

Dried  (irapes    375.000 

Fi^s    6,000,000       ' ' 

Butter    28,678.439       ' ' 

( 'heese    6.514.200       ' ' 

Hops  82,000  l)ales 

Wool  15,000,000       ' ' 

The  time  that  has  elai)sed  since 
THE    RECORD    OF  .        .,     ^  „ ^^     ,  „  wi       r-i         i 

A   BUSY   YEAR  Apru.  l;)()b,  has  lound  the  (  hamber 

busy.  Among  the  matters  that  have 
engaged  its  attention  are  the  following :  Having  seventy-five 
per  cent,  of  the  Federal  customs  dues  and  internal  revenues 
collections  in  Hawaii  set  aside  for  a  period  of  twenty  years 
for  the  construction  of  Federal  public  works  and  public 
educational  buildings;  the  improvement  of  the  San  Francisco 
water-front;  the  deepening  and  Avidening  of  the  channel  of 
Oakland  harbor;  the  condition  of  the  public  health; 
municipal  government;  head  tax  on  aliens;  an  appeal  for 
sufferers  in  the  China  famine ;  correspondence  with  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  in  regard  to  Japanese  immigration ; 
urging  that  torpedo  boats  shall  be  constructed  on  the  Pacific 
coast ;  urging  the  adoption  of  the  bill  to  increase  the  efficiency 
of  the  United  States  Arm}- ;  a  bill  to  increase  the  pay  of 
officers  and  men  in  the  Army  and  Navy;  in  securing  improved 
transportation  via  the  Isthmian  Canal ;  in  urging  the  adoption 
of  the  Ship  Subsidy  Bill;  improved  currency  legislation  ;  and 
the  defeat  of  the  bill  providing  for  a  parcels  post :  to  sus{)end 
action  relating  to  the  sulphuring  of  dried  fruit  until  further 
investigation  was  made ;  securing  the  business  on  Indian 
supplies;  city  water  supply;  securing  improvements  of  the 
Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin  rivers. 


ANNALS  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  41 

INlany  purely  local  affairs  have  been  taken  up,  aiiionu' 
which  Avere  the  followinu' :  The  charg-e  made  by  transpoi'ta- 
tion  companies  for  the  loading'  and  unloading  of  freight;  the 
extension  of  the  Belt  Line  on  p]ast  street;  the  salt  water 
auxiliary  system  for  fire  protection  ;  opposing  the  appropria- 
tion for  purchase  of  the  Geary  street  road ;  the  employment 
of  Professor  "William  Carey  Jones  to  pass  on  proposed 
Charter  amendments ;  sending  delegates  to  the  Peace  Con- 
ference held  in  this  city;  securing  indemnity  bonds  to 
protect  members  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works  from  per- 
sonal liability  under  the  provisions  of  the  present  Charter: 
securing  a  lower  rate  of  insurance  in  public  warehouses; 
securing  improved  railroad  service  to  Tonopah ;  protesting 
against  proposed  freight  rates  into  the  San  Joaciuin 
Valley  which  discriminated  against  San  Francisco ;  seek- 
ing a  reduction  of  fire  insurance  rates  throughout  Cali- 
fornia; the  improvement  of  the  barracks,  officers'  quarters 
and  other  buildings  on  the  l^residio  Reservation ;  the  build- 
ing of  Avarehouses  and  transport  docks  as  provided  by  Con- 
gressional appropriation ;  the  building  of  a  State  Building 
in  San  Francisco  as  provided  in  the  Special  Session  of  the 
Legislature  held  in  June,  1906 ;  endeavoring  to  secure  a 
better  class  of  construction  of  school  and  other  pul)lic 
buildings  in  San  Francisco;  preparation  of  a  San  Francisco 
trade  directory  of  members  to  be  distributed  in  all  territory 
reached  by  San  Francisco  merchants ;  seeking  an  improved 
transportation  and  mail  service  to  Alaska ;  endeavoring  to 
secure  a  proper  improvement  of  vacant  property  by 
absentee  owners. 

The  fire  of  April,  1906,  developed 
THE  INSURANCE  j^^^^,    ^^^^-^j    comi^lex    issues    in    insur- 

ISSUE  OF  THE  /  f  .i      ^  •    i 

GREAT   FIRE  ance.     I  he  attention  of  the  financial 

world  was  focused  on  an  Fran- 
cisco. The  need  of  definite  and  reliable  information  regard- 
iuii'  insurance  affairs  became  so  apparent  that  the  investiga- 
tion instituted  by  the  Chamber  was  followed  with  consuming 
interest.     In  discussing  the  final   report   the   Special   Com- 


42  ANNALS  OF  TI1I<:  (llAMBKH  OF  ('OM]\IFH('K 

iiiittee  of  the  Chamber,  eonsistino-  of  Charles  H.  Bentley, 
Ceorge  E.  liutler  and  (icorge  D.  (irny,  offered  these  pertinent 
comments : 

"We  have  kept  in  view  the  purpose  as  outlined  in  the 
original  plan,  to  wit : 

"1.  The  moral  effect  upon  tlu'  insurance  companies  in- 
volved, once  they  knew^  that  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  pro- 
posed to  make  a  reliable  report,  giving  fair  credit  to  those 
companies  that  are  fairly  meeting  their  obligations. 

"2.  Supplying  information  on  application  of  our  mem- 
bers relating  to  adjustment  being  made  by  companies  with 
which  said  members  might  hold  policies. 

"3.  Sending  general  information  to  commercial  organi- 
zations throughout  the  country  relating  to  the  insurance  con- 
ditions in  our  city. 

"4.  In  the  light  of  such  information,  venturing  some 
suggestions  that  will  tend  to  the  betterment  of  the  fire  in- 
surance business  both  for  the  insurer  and  the  insured." 

The  report  itself  is  a  standard  authority  on  the  insur- 
ance conditions  created  by  the  fire,  and  has  been  declared 
l)y  competent  critics  one  of  the  most  notable  contributions 
to  insurance  literature. 


ANNALS  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  43 

PART    FOUR. 

The  year  1908  was  a  period  in  itself.  In  the  revival  oi' 
business  and  the  restoration  of  contidence  sncceedinji'  the 
depression  of  1907  the  Chamber  a(lniii^:istration  was  efficient 
and  potential.  President  Charles  C.  Moore  accepted  his 
office  with  a  thorough  knoAvledge  of  its  responsibilities,  and 
it  must  be  admitted  that  he  made  a  new  presidential  record. 
He  inspired  his  associates  in  the  Board  of  Trustees  with  con- 
fidence in  his  ability,  his  intelligence  and  his  integrity  of 
purpose,  and  as  a  result  the  Trustees  responded  as  never 
before  to  calls  on  their  time,  their  attention  and  their  best 
endeavors.  The  rehabilitation  activities  of  the  city 
developed  complex  issues  in  the  solution  of  which  the  in- 
tiuence  of  the  Board  w^as  repeatedly  requested.  As  a  result 
of  these  and  other  demands  the  meetings  of  the  Trustees 
were  more  frequent  than  in  former  years,  and  the  committees 
were  obliged  to  investigate  and  report  on  matters  that  had 
previously  been  ignored  by  the  organization. 

The  Citizens'  Health  Committee  of 
SANITARY  ,„„-,  .,     ,  1      7,r     TT 

CAMPAIGN  1908  W' as  presided  over  by  Mr.  Homer 

King.  The  sanitation  w- ork  of  the  city 
in  1908  was  in  a  sense  and  to  a  degree  directed  by  the  Presi- 
dent of  The  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  San  Francisco,  who 
was  Chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Citizens' 
Health  Committee.  While  Doctor  Rupert  Blue  of  the  United 
States  Public  Health  and  ^Marine  Service  was  the  pro- 
fessional head  of  the  sanitation  force  and  while  it  is  true  that 
Doctor  Blue  achieved  international  fame  through  his  ability, 
energy  and  courage,  the  fact  remains  that  the  creation  and 
direction  of  public  sentiment  and  the  financing  of  the  great 
health  crusade  in  San  Francisco  fell  to  ^Iv.  Charles  C.  ^Nloore. 
President  of  The  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  San  Francisco,  who 
organized  the  business  interests  of  the  city  from  the  highest 
to  the  lowest  and  through  his  dominating  personality  raised 
the  very  large  amount  of  money  needed  for  sanitation  pur- 
poses.    ]\rr.  ^Nloore  standardized   the  financial  wa^rk  of  the 


44  ANNALS  OF  TIIK   (UAMFiKR  OF  COMMERCE 

campaign,  and  by  his  personal  ap}ieals  impressed  the  people 
with  the  necessity  for  clcaiisinu-  the  city.  If  special  stress  is 
laid  on  the  intinence  of  the  Chamber  through  President 
INIoore  in  the  sanitation  campaign,  it  should  be  borne  in  mind 
that  the  campaign  was  conducted  in  the  face  of  bitter  opposi- 
tion from  a  portion  of  the  press  and  a  portion  of  the  pul)lic. 
The  necessity  for  the  work  was  never  admitted  by  some  of 
the  newspapers  and  a  certain  portion  of  the  public.  IMoral 
courage  and  persistence  were  inseparable  froin  the  leader- 
ship of  such  a  campaign. 

On  the  initiative  of  President  Moore 
COMMERCIAL  ,,       ,,.         ,         .       ^,       n      .    .■  ■      ., 

EXCURSIONS  Chamber  tor  the  nrst  tune  ni  the 

58  years  of  its  history  inaugurated 
commercial  excursions  to  interior  communities ;  this  with  a 
view  to  illustrating  the  interdependence  of  city  and  country. 
The  initial  excursion,  ^lay  22  to  24  inclusive,  included  a  visit 
to  Stockton,  a  trip  down  the  San  Joaquin  river  by  steamer 
and  up  the  Sacramento  river  to  Sacramento,  and  thence  to 
]Marysville.  Oroville  and  Chico.  Another  excursion,  held 
October  31st.  was  along  the  water-front  of  San  Francisco, 
thence  along  the  bay  shore  to  Vallejo  and  ]Mare  Island  Navy 
Yard.  A  third  excursion,  December  9th  to  13th.  compre- 
hended Los  Angeles.  San  Bernardino,  Redlands.  Riverside. 
Brawley.  Imperial.  El  Centro,  Calexico,  Holtville.  in  the 
Imperial  Valley  (the  visitors  crossing  the  waters  into 
^Mexico),  and  thence  home  by  way  of  Santa  ^laria  oil  fields. 
In  September  the  Chamber  sent  a  delegation  of  represen- 
tative members  to  Japan  in  response  to  an  invitation  from 
The  Chambers  of  Connnerce  of  Tokyo.  Yokohama.  Osaka. 
Kobe  and  Kyoto.  In  company  Avith  other  Chambers  of  Com- 
merce of  the  Pacific  Coast,  the  party  sailed  for  Japan  on  the 
25th  of  Septeml)pr.  The  members  of  the  San  Francisco 
Chamber,  under  the  leadership  of  ^Ir.  F.  A\^.  Dohrmann, 
made  a  detailed  report  of  their  experiences  in  elapan.  v.liicli 
was  later  ])uWished  in  the  Chamber  Annual. 


AXXALS  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  43 

San  Francisco  merchants  have  ahvavs 
PANAMA  CANAL 
SUPPLIES  shown   nuich    interest    in   fnrnishinji- 

snpplies  for  the  Panama  Canal  enter- 
prise. Upon  the  reqnest  of  the  Chamber,  Mr.  William  ]\I. 
Bnnker.  a  Trustee,  visited  the  Canal  Zone  in  October  and 
made  an  elaborate  report  on  the  supplies  nsed  by  the  forty 
thousand  people  livin^;'  in  the  Zone.  He  also  reported  upon 
the  transportation  conditions  which  have  placed  San  Fran- 
cisco at  a  serious  disadvantage  in  competing  for  Canal  Zone 
patronage. 

Mr.  Bunker  clearly  indicated  the  trade  chances  for  San 
Francisco.  He  closed  his  report  with  these  very  pertinent 
remarks : 

"The  crux  of  the  situation  is  swift  and  regular  steamer 
service,  under  proper  refrigerating  conditions,  between  San 
Francisco  and  La  Boca.  If  there  existed  a  weekly  express 
steamer  service  of  twelve  days,  with  dry  air  refrigeration, 
between  San  Francisco  and  La  Boca,  practically  over  one- 
half  of  the  food  supplied  the  Commission,  or  cold  storage 
food  alone  to  the  value  of  $120,000  per  month,  could  be  sent 
from  San  Francisco.  Li  the  opinion  of  Commission  officials 
familiar  with  the  conditions  in  the  Zone  and  those  in  Cali- 
fornia, all  the  beef  consumed  in  the  Zone,  transportation 
conditions  being  right,  should  be  shipped  from  San  Fran- 
cisco." 

At  the  expense  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  ]\Ir. 
Bunker  directed  the  attention  of  the  Canal  Commission  to  the 
([uarantine  against  San  Francisco  and  asked  that  the  em])argo 
be  raised.  The  quarantine  had  lasted  for  many  months  and 
had  proven  a  disturbing  factor  in  the  mercantile  business  of 
the  city.  The  Chamber  of  Commerce  at  the  request  of  the 
merchants  investigated  conditions  and  was  able  to  equip  Mr. 
Bunker  with  facts  that  induced  Dr.  Gogas  of  the  Canal  Com- 
mission to  order  the  discontinuance  of  the  quarantine  against 
San  Francisco. 


4t;  ANNALS  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE 

FORMATION   OF  ^^     order     to     exert     the     cohesive 

THE  ASSOCIATED  strength  of  the  Pacific  Coast  in  deal- 

COMMEECE   OF  ^"^  "^^^^^  ^^®    Federal    Government, 

THE  PACIFIC  the  Trustees  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 

COAST 

merce  of  San  Francisco  invited  the 
Chambers  of  Commerce  of  Los  Angeles,  Oakland,  San  Diego. 
Portland.  Tacoma.  Seattle  and  Spokane  to  meet  in  the  rooms 
of  the  San  Francisco  Chamber  October  5th.  1908  for  the  pur- 
pose of  forming  the  Associated  Chambers  of  Commerce  of  the 
Pacific  Coast.  The  meeting  was  entirely  successful.  Ex- 
Governor  John  II.  ]\IcGraw,  President  of  the  Seattle  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce,  was  elected  President;  Geo.  H.  Stewart. 
President  Los  Angeles  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Vice-Presi- 
dent ;  and  C.  W.  Burks,  Secretary  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce of  San  Francisco.  Avas  elected  Secretary.  The  scope  of 
the  organization  is  indicated  by  the  following  quotation  from 
its  bylaws : 

"The  object  of  this  organization  shall  be  to  induce  the 
Federal  Government  to  recognize  the  commercial  and  strate- 
gic importance  of  the  Pacific  Coast,  and  to  promote  such  Na- 
tional legislation  as  will  hasten  the  development  of  Amei'i- 
can  naval,  military,  merchant  marine,  river  and  harbor  and 
general  navigation  interests  along  the  Pacific  Coast  and  on 
the  Pacific  Ocean;  the  immediate  need  being  an  expansion 
of  American  shipping,  a  large  fleet  in  Pacific  waters,  and  an 
adequate  increase  in  the  military  and  naval  establishment 
on  the  Coast." 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  endorsed 
MISCELLANEOUS.  ^,  td      -^        t7 

the    Alaska-Yukon    Pacmc    Lxposi- 

tioii;  endorsed  the  Golden  West  and  American  Industries 
Exposition  at  Earl's  Court.  London;  energetically  favored 
the  improvement  of  the  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin  Rivers: 
guaranteed  the  necessary  funds  for  the  Trans-^Iississippi 
Commercial  Congress;  opposed  the  proposed  method  of  ac- 
quiring title  to  Tslais  Creek  lands;  launched  plans  for  in- 
creasing trade  with  Alaska.  ^Mexico,  Central  and  South 
America;  took  active  part  in  entertaining  the  visit  of  the 
great    round-the-world    naval    fleet;    advocated    a    new    svs- 


ANNALS  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  47 

tern  of  collecting'  funds  for  the  purpose  of  sccui'ini;-  Con- 
ventions and  Congresses  for  San  Francisco;  co-operated 
with  the  ^Merchants'  Exchange  in  the  formation  of  a  Ti-affic 
Bureau;  promoted  the  interest  of  the  National  Irrigation 
Congress;  arranged  for  closer  connection  Ix'tween  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  of  San  Francisco  and  Interior  Cham- 
bers; actively  agitated  for  a  larger  American  merchant 
marine;  emphasized  the  importance  of  the  Nevada  trade; 
planned  the  entertainment  of  American  Consuls  to  foreign 
countries  during  their  passage  through  San  Francisco;  and 
worked  in  various  ways  for  the  improvement  of  the  com- 
mercial conditions  in  the  city  and  State. 

During  the  year  the  Chamber  entertained  among  othei-s; 

His  Excellency  Wu  Ting  Fang.  Envoy  Extraordinary  and 
Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the  Chinese  Empire, 

Hon.  Paul  ]Morton,  Ex-Secretary  of  the  Navy,  President  of 
the  Equitable  Life  Assurance  Society. 

Hon.  Charles  W.  Tavlor, 

D.  0.  :\Iills. 

Hon.  AYilliam  R.  Wheeler, 

Representatives  of  Pacific  Coast  Chambers  of  Commerce, 

James  A.  Blair,  Pres.  of  Blair  &  Co.,  Bankers  for  Western 

Pacific  R  .R., 
Japanese  Commercial  Commissioners  from  Portland,  Taconui 

and  Seattle, 
General  Frederick  Funston,  U.  S.  A., 

E.  H.  Harriman,  President  Southern  Pacific  Company, 
Hon.  Thomas  J.  O'Brien,  U.  S.  Ambassador  to  Japan. 
Hon.  J.  Cameron  Forbes,  Vice-Governor  of  Philippine  Isls.. 
Leon  D.  laizriaga.  iNIember  Philippine  Commission. 

Hon.  John  Barrett.  Director  of  the  Bureau  of  Latin-Ameri- 
can Republics. 

An  indication  of  the  activity  of  the  Chamber  is  found 
in  the  increase  in  the  membership.  During  the  year  there 
was  a  gain  of  33  per  cent.  By  December,  1908,  the  mem- 
bership had  reached  750 — the  largest  in  its  history,  and  this 
increase  represented  some  of  tlu^  oldest  and  largest  houses 
in  the  community. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  AT  LOS  ANGELES 

THE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
This  book  is  DUE  on  tlie  last  date  stamped  below 


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296 

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3   llb8  00488 


7. 

UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY 


AA    001  154  221 


